Tandem taxi tender for airplanes



July zo, 1965 R. w. NORTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 11, 196s 7 sneetssneet 1ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1965 R. w. NORTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 11, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 21N VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY.

RICHARD W. NORTON.

July 20, 1965 R. w. NORTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 11, 1965 '7 sheets-Sheet 5fg.. 5L *I 32 L27 i 5 5 T l l5 v 5o 5 .14

INVENToR.

RICHARD W. NORTON.

ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1965 R. w. NORTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April l1, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. RICHARD W. NORTON` ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1965 R. w. NORRTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 1l, 1963 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 lf I I r 1,

? INVENTOR.

RICHARD W, NORTQN` n, v BYQKf//g/ ATTORNEY.

AlO

July 20, 1965 R. w. Nom-oN 3,195,861

l 4 TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 1l, 1963 '7Sheets-Sheet 6 85 e7 7e ,14 68 178' 75 79 e4 l 1 M77 83 72 ,.70 es e9 82INVENTOR.

RICHARD W. NORTON.

ATTORNEY.

July 20, 1965 v R. w. NORTON 3,195,861

TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES Filed April 11, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7INVENTOR. RICHARD W. NORTON.

AT TORN EY.

United States Patent O 3,195,861 TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANESRichard W. Norton, Cincinnati, Qho, assigner to General Aeromation,Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed Apr. 11, 1963, Ser.No. 272,255 2 Claims. (Cl. 2S4-2) This invention relates to a relativelylight-weight twindrive vehicle for moving airplanes while not in llightparticularly airplanes with tricycle type landing gears, without the useof the airplanes turbine engines, or other motive or towing powersources. The movement of multi-engined airplanes on the ground,particularly jet-engine propelled airplanes, has become a real andvexing problem, in that the use of jet-engines on the ground is not onlyvery expensive, but incurs many problems due to the great blast noisesat disturbingly high frequencies, and the violent air disturbancescaused by the jet engines. Because the propulsive efficiencies of jetengines are extremely low at ground movement speeds, further because theoverall weight of modern long range jet airplanes has increasedenormously in the past decade, thereby greatly increasing the rollingresistance of the heavily loaded tires, the jet engines must run as highas eighty percent full-open throttle-setting to start the taxi roll,thereby consuming very large quantities of jet fuel and producing fumes,smoke and tremendous noise.

My improved vehicle is designed to move under the fuselage and wings ofa tricycle type landing gear airplane, and be readily attached to themain landing gears of the airplane or the jacking terminals very nearits center of gravity and center of rolling resistance, employing asingle operator to perform all operations of positioning the vehicle,attaching to the airplane and maneuvering the airplane in any directionregardless of the conditions of the terrain on which it rests, andtaxiing the airplane safely at maximum allowable taxi speeds.

In this invention the elevating structure is hydraulically operated andpositioned between a pair of wheels mounted in each chassis with onewheel in each chassis power driven and all four wheels provided withbrakes. The elevating lstructures are connected by a transverse memberwhich supports adjustable arms for engaging the airplane. The landinggears of the various models of commercial jet airplanes vary in thedistance the landing gears are spaced from each other. Therefore, I haveprovided simple means for moving the adjustable arms on the transversemember to quickly and simply adjust the arms to position the arms inalignment with the jack points on the respective landing gears. The armswhen in adjusted position are rigidly clamped on the transverse memberto hold the airplane in fixed relation to the vehicle. The steering isaccomplished by differential power and brake application, similar to theapplication on a multiple engine airplane. Each chassis is independentlydriven individually or in unison to permit the vehicle to be maneuveredinto position in respect to the landing gears of a multiple engineairplane.

The object of my invention is to provide a vehicle capable of moving andmaking highly mobile an airplane on the ground and having means forattaching the vehicle to an airplane at its main landing gears,transferring part of the airplanes Weight to the vehicle to make a rigidand reliable connection to the airplane, which is also quicklydetachable by reversing the weight transfer procedure, without restoringto time consuming and diticult to attach bolted or pinned connectionmethods, and to also induce traction, and by means of the power of thevehicle and Without the aid of any of the airplanes sys- SQSI PatentedJuly 2t), 1965 ICC tems or components maneuvering the airplane in anyand all directions. l

A further object of my invention is to provide a means of moving atricycle landing gear type airplane by applying the moving forces to themain landing gears of such airplane at or near the true center ofrolling resistance and center of mass of the airplane, thereby greatlyincreasing the effectiveness of the vehicles moving forces applied tosuch airplane.

A further object of this invention is to provide a pair of spaced apartchassis supporting an elevating structure on each chassis and saidelevating structures connected by a transverse member.

A further object of this invention is to provide adjustable arms on thetransverse member for engagement with the main landing gears of anairplane.

A further object is to provide hydraulic means for raising and loweringthe transverse member supporting the attaching arms relative to thepower chassis.

A further object is to control the individual power and brakeapplication from a single operating position.

A further object is to control the respective elevating mechanism ineach chassis concurrently from a single operating position.

My invention will be further readily understood from the followingdescription and claims, and from the drawings, in which latter:

FIG. l is a plan view of my improved tandem taxi tender.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the same.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a view of the elevating mechanism, taken in the plane of theline 4 4 of FIG. 3, with the elevating structure in raised position.

FIG. 5 is a detailed vertical section of the elevating structure, takenin the plane of the line 5-5 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 6 is a detail horizontal section, taken in the plane of the line6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged detail section of the drive mechanism, taken inthe plane of the line 7-7 of FIG. 1l.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged section of the free wheel mounting, taken in theplane of the line 8-8 of FIG. l.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan detail of one of the adjustable arms on thetransverse member.

FIG. l0 is a vertical cross-section of the arm, taken in the plane ofthe line IEB-Iii of FIG. 9.

FIG. ll is an enlarged end view of the wheel drive.

FIG. l2 is a diagrammatic view of the hydraulic system for raising theelevating structure.

My improved taxi tender comprises a pair of chassis Il and I2. Eachchassis has side frames I3 and 14 connected by end plates I5. A cab I6for the operator is secured to the forward end of the chassis 1I and hasall the controls for the motors and hydraulic pumps therein to permitthe operator to maneuver the vehicle and raise or lower the armsengaging the airplane as well as applying the brakes for each wheel.Each chassis also supports a motor I7, a hydraulic pump 1S, a iluidreservoir I9 and a fuel tank 2t).

Wheels 21 and 22 are mounted in each chassis, with the rear wheels 22driven by the motors 17. The forward wheels 21 are free to rotate andall of the wheels are provided with brakes 23. Intermediate the wheelson each chassis is a square sleeve 25 bolted to the respective sideframes I3 and I4 by bolts 26. A second square sleeve 27 is slidable inthe sleeve 25 and is bolted at its upper end to a supporting structure2S as by bolts 29. A hydraulic cylinder 30 is supported on a plate 3lsecured to the base of the sleeve 25. A connecting rod 32 extendsupwardly from a piston 33 and is bolted to the supporting structure 2Sas at 34. A transverse member 35 is welded to the supporting structure28 on each chassis to form a rigid connection between the supporting istructures. The'transverse member 35 maintains the re' spective chassis11 and 12 in alignment. Y

The forward wheel21 in each chassis, shown in detail in FIG. 8,comprises a wheel hub 36 on which a suitable inflatable tire ismounted.v The hubV 36 is supported on bearings'37 retained in bearing'supports 38 secured to the side lframes V13. and` 14 by bolts 3.9. Thehydraulic brake 23 comprises a housing iQ/bolted to the side frame 13 bybolts 41'v and supports `anon-rotative member 42 bolted to the housing40V by bolts 43 and 44. An external member 45! is' bolted to a ringV'46`by bolts '47. The ring 46 in turn is bolted to the wheel hub bybolts 48. inter#l posed between the members '42 and 45 is the hydraulicbrake 49.'

` When it is necessary 'to change a tire, the bolts 41l and 43 `areremoved to remove the housing'iti and the bolts '48 are removedV to freeYthe* brake .assembly from the wheel. The bolts 39 are thenv removedandjthe wheel and its bearings can be lifted from the chassis'.V Thereverse action takes place toV replace the wheel.V 2

The rear Wheels 22 in each' chassis are driven by the motors 17 throughVa transmission'll which is coupled to the wheel drive by a universaljoint si. (ses F1os,

7 and ll.)

The rearv wheel 22 has a hub V36 similar to the hub on the forward wheelon which a suitable inflatable tire is mounted and the hub is supportedyon Ybearings 37 transversey member 'are engaged bypinion gears 82secured to shafts 83 journalled in :bearings 84 extending rom the arms6o. Handwheels 85 secured to the shafts 83 are Vadapted vto rotatetheppi'nion gears on the gear Yracks to move the' arms into position toengage the jack points 67 on the respective landing gears. When` theadjustable transfer arms 66 are in adjusted ,position and Cltretained'in bearing supports 38 secured to the side frames 13 and 14v bybolts 39. A sleeve S2 extends outwardly from oneV side vof therwheelhuband'is bolted thereto by bolts 53. Aprsecond sleeve 54fis splined atSto the sleeve 52 and has airing gear 56 bolted 'thereto as. Y

at57. A housing 58 encompassesv the ring gear 561Y and its drivingpinion gear 59, the shaft 6i)A of which is-,se'

Suitable tire, the bolts 65 are removed andthe drive unit Vis movedoutwardly limited by the cross-pins '6,4 with the. outer sleeve 54.sliding on the 'sleeve.'52. Thetbolts 53 and Platesel are bolted to thehousing 39 can then beremovedvand the wheel and vits bearings liftedoutof' the chassis. The wheel is replaced' by reversing the procedure. Y

Commercial I jet airplane landingv gears vary in the` distance the mainlanding gears are spacedvrom each other. Therefore, I have providedadjustable transfer arms 66 which can be readily movedl on thetransverse member to positionthe arms in alignmentwith the jack points67 on the respective landing gears. The arms partially encircle thetransverse member, which is tubular in cross-section, .bearingy againstthe transverse member at 68 and 69 and have forwardly extendingsupportingblocks4 70 which areV bolted to the arms as at 71. The upperface of each block has a recess '72 to engagek the jack point 67 of theVlanding gears. The landing gear has a lug 74. extending rearwardlyengaging the stops to position thearm @ein *proper posif tion relativetothe jack point. As' the arm 66 raises the pin 76 will enter theaperture 77'` in the lug 74rand a cross-pin 73 can be inserted inthepin76 to lock the engaging arm 66 to the airplane. In the event of a hattire on the. airplane, the'block 'itl vcan be removed from the arm 66-to permit the arm Yto be inserted underfthe jack point to raise thelanding gear to replacethe tire.

Keys 79 are rigidly secured to the transverse member 35 and the arms 66engage the keys as at 80 (to maintain the arms in'position on thetransverse member and ber.

the transverse member is raised to impose a portion of the weight of theairplane on the vehicle, the engaging faces "68 and 69Qwill` create apinching action von the transverse member to hold the arms in a rigidxed posi- Y tion on thetransverse'member. 1*(See FIGS. 9 and 10.)

ln FIG. 12, I have Ashown yone form of hydraulic system foroperatingtheY pistons 3 3 inthe cylinders 30 for raising thesupportingstructure and transverse ymem- The hydraulic system `foreachchassiscomprises the fluid reservoir 19, hydraulic pump 18, accumulator37, a pressure holding valve 88, and'a control valve 89.

VThe fluid isdrawn from the reservoir v19 through' a line 9) to thepumpy 13 connected to the accumulator'87, through aline 91 to the 4valve89, to the lower end of the cylinder '30.' vA line 92 connects the upperend of the cylinder to the reservoir and acts as a breather line. Areturn line 93 from'the valve 89 Connects to the Vreservoir 19.' Theweight of the structure will causethe piston to descend when thevalve 89is turned to permit the iiuid to return to the reservoir 19.y Thepressure holding valve has a connection 941t`o the line 93tov bleed orito maintain a given pressure in the-cylinder 30.

When .it is desired'to move anairplane on the ground, the tandemtaxitender isy driven into positionL in the rear of the airplane, the armsadjusted toy the proper spaced positions toralign the larms with thejack points on the respective landing gears. Suitable indicia may beembossed on thetransverse member to aidl in locating rthe arms for a;given airplane.

`f `porting structures to rise, raisingthe transverser member and thearms. The arms make positive Vconnection with the jack points onther-landing gears and the vehicle Vassumes part yof the weight of theairplane, the amount being governed by the setting' of' the pressurecontrol valve S8. Y

The operatorin `the cab 16 has complete. control of the airplane and byapplying differential. power and brake applicatiorn'to` the` wheels, theairplane canr be moved in any directionto any location Withoutemployingthe airber.. Gear racks S1 secured'to` and extending along theplanes engines.V Y

Having thus fullyndescribed` my' invention, lwhat I claim as new anddesire toV secure by Letters vPatent is:

A tandem taxi tenderrfor airplanes'comprising;y "(a) a pairr'or spacedchassis,

(b) eachwchassis having a pairof'side frames,

(c) a pair ofwheels Vremovably mounted in each of said chassis,

(d) an elevating structuresupported in each of said sideframes betweensaid wheels comprising a square sleeve clamped in each side 'frame witha .sliding member of square conguration and non-rotatably slidabletherein,

(e) hydraulic pistons-,connected to said' slidingV members foroperatingVsaid elevating structures,

(t) a transverse member rigidlyl and non-rotatably Y secured to saidsliding members, and v V(g) armsV extending forward and adjustable on,said transverse member for forming a rigid connection y with the mainlanding` gears of an airplane.

.2. In ra tandem taxi tender v,for airplanes comprising;

(a) a pair of spacedY p ower. driven chassis,

5 6 (b) an elevating structure on each chassis, References Cited bytheExaminer (ctrctturergsverse member connecting said elevating UNITEDSTATES PATENTS (d) a pair of laterally extending arms provided with Re24 23O 10/56 Peafne 2548-2 socket means for connection with the landinggears 526715 10/94 Kmghfc -e 25489 X of an airplane 2,357,633 9/44Cfowgill 2511-22 X (e) said arms having exible means partially encir-2,585,790 2/52 Belley 180" 57 cling said transverse member, 2161213559/52 Thompson' (f) said arms movable on said transverse member, 33918255/53 Ealfm 254-'124 X (g) a gear and gear rack for moving said arms onsaid 10 2" 80270 4/61 EH10 et al' 214-334 X transverse member, and WlebeX (h) the said socket means and flexible means being 310911431 5/63 Ameset al- 254-2'4 so formed `and positioned relative to each otller OTHERREFERENCES that the We1ght of the airplane when the elevating RotaryLift pamphlet No. 20 M H SO, Catalog 121,

structures are raised will lock said flexible means on said transversemember with a pinching action. recelved July l2 1951 12 pages' DONLEY I.STOCKING, Primary Examiner.

1. A TANDEM TAXI TENDER FOR AIRPLANES COMPRISING; (A) A PAIR OF SPACEDCHASSIS, (B) EACH CHASSIS HAVING A PAIR OF SIDE FRAMES, (C) A PAIR OFWHEELS REMOVABLY MOUNTED IN EACH OF SAID CHASSIS, (D) AN ELEVATINGSTRUCTURE SUPPORTED IN EACH OF SAID SIDE FRAMES BETWEEN SAID WHEELSCOMPRISING A SQUARE SLEEVE CLAMPED IN EACH SIDE FRAME WITH A SLIDINGMEMBER OF SQUARE CONFIGURATION AND NON-ROTATABLY SLIDABLE THEREIN,